Baltimore, MD vs Washington-Arlington-Alexandria: Housing Market Comparison (2026)

Side-by-side Alpha Scores, affordability, momentum, supply, jobs, and rental yield · as of August 2026

Baltimore, MD vs Washington-Arlington-Alexandria side by side

Metric Baltimore, MD Washington-Arlington-Alexandria
Alpha Score5318
Price Momentum72
Inventory Health301
Affordability4815
Economic Strength6946
Rental Yield4715
Median Sale Price$440K
Price-to-Income4.44.6
Payment-to-Income26.8%28.8%
Months of Supply3
Gross Rental Yield4.4%4.2%
Overvaluation Index5020

Highlighted = the stronger read for that metric (supply, valuation, and payment burden are better when lower). Income/rent inputs lag annually.

How Baltimore, MD and Washington-Arlington-Alexandria compare, dimension by dimension

  • Affordability: Baltimore, MD leads — Baltimore, MD 48/100 vs Washington-Arlington-Alexandria 15/100.
  • Inventory Health: Baltimore, MD leads — Baltimore, MD 30/100 vs Washington-Arlington-Alexandria 1/100.
  • Economic Strength: Baltimore, MD leads — Baltimore, MD 69/100 vs Washington-Arlington-Alexandria 46/100.
  • Rental Yield: Baltimore, MD leads — Baltimore, MD 47/100 vs Washington-Arlington-Alexandria 15/100.

Frequently asked questions

Which has a higher Alpha Score, Baltimore, MD or Washington-Arlington-Alexandria?

Baltimore, MD scores higher — 53 vs 18 out of 100. The Alpha Score is a 0-100 composite of price momentum, inventory health, affordability, economic strength, and rental yield.

Is Baltimore, MD or Washington-Arlington-Alexandria more affordable?

Baltimore, MD is more affordable on our affordability dimension. Price-to-income is 4.4 in Baltimore, MD and 4.6 in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria.

Want to swap in other cities, change the metrics, or chart the trend over time? Customize this comparison → in the interactive Compare tool. Or read the Baltimore, MD market brief and the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria brief.